A MEMORY walk in honour of a beloved dad who lost his battle with dementia raised more than £2,000 in the battle to one day find a cure.
More than 50 people attended the walk held in Worcester on Saturday to raise more than £2,200 in funds for the Alzheimer's Society which conducts vital research with the aim of slowing, and one day curing, the disease.
The five-mile walk started at the Pitchcroft car park by the Pump House, heading along the river to Diglis Bridge and back along the river to the Pump House.
It was held in memory of Doug Jackson, 81, of Bevere, near Worcester who suffered from both Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease before his death.
His daughter Kay Brearley and her husband, Lee Brearley, both 57, of Lavender Road, Worcester welcomed the support they received on the Memory Walk in Worcester and they hope to build on the success with a further walk in Ludlow on October 8.
Mrs Brearley said: "It really was a fantastic morning and to have so many people walk with us, ultimately giving our family and the cause overwhelming support, was very heartwarming.
"We feel that, with all the amazing support we have received and continue to receive together with the unbelievable generosity of people who we have brought together for many differing reasons, we are making a difference in the fight against this cruel disease.
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"To raise the amount of money that we have is truly incredible, especially in the current climate. We couldn’t have dreamt of raising such a huge amount of money which is still increasing. Tonight it stands at £2,286.50. Sadly it also makes us aware that this disease is affecting so many families and friends.
"We are now finalising our plans for our Ludlow Memory Walk, which will take place on Sunday, October 8 in the family home town of Ludlow. It will be a challenging day, being the second anniversary of dad’s death but the route we are taking includes significant places of interest to dad, which are mainly historical, that will bring back happy memories too."
The former mechanic, costing engineer and draughtsman died on October 8, 2021, having only been diagnosed the year before but continues to be a source of inspiration to his family.
The latest figures show there are over 9,900 people living with dementia in Worcestershire alone, over 84,000 across the West Midlands and around 900,000 across the UK.
Mr Jackson was born in Mill Street, Ludlow on September 14, 1939, educated at Ludlow Grammar school and initially worked for the MEB as a draughtsman but in 1961 he was called up for National Service and was posted to Tripoli.
Those who wish to support the family can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/memorywalkoyo23-kaybrearley
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